The Native Iowan

Yep, just when you think its over. Just when you think its going to dry out a bit. Just when you think you are going to get some work done… You get hit harder than ever before.

Huge weather system ran through between 3 and 6am. Lighting, big, loud, cracking, crashing lighting. Rolling thunder. Wind. And rain. Another 100mm/ 4inches of rain. On top of the rainfall we have had in the past week, this becomes the straw that breaks the camel’s back…

Power off for the first time in ages. Roads all around us closed. our little stream, that becomes a river, has reached new heights, new levels. Actually getting damn close to the house.

The weatherpersons tell us we’re in for more of the same…

So we settle in for a couple hours of “watch and see”.

Our farm is basic/ rustic in many ways. We live off our water tanks. All water in the house depends on an electric pump. And, of course, most folks dont think about it and get up and use the toilet and flush it and then sue it again to find there is no water for the second flush. No running water for dishes, or to wash my face and brush my teeth. Battery power on devices shall become a premium.

One hack I learned long ago is that you laptop is a spare battery. We all, all modern folks, have a phone and a laptop. The phone has a Simm card but most laptops dont. So by default our phones become our main computer in times like this. The power is down so the household wifi is dead, thus computer not very useful. But it has a big battery, and can keep you phone alive for a couple days if used judiciously.

I should really have a little generator, but I dont. My neighbour is a chicken/ egg farmer and depends heavily on refrigeration, so he has a number of little gennies, and has graciously offer to loan one, if needed.

I’ll hangout for a couple hours, see if the power comes back. Ive checked on line and see they dont think power will be back until tomorrow, so I may just take up my neighbours offer. But one can be optimistic, even when its stupid.

Again, I note there are folks that have been hit a lot worse than we. Nick and Salome in Lismore have been terribly effected. What for us is inconvenience is for them detestation.

And the beat goes on. A wet beat, but still marching forward.

Smiles